The inside of your home is like an ecosystem inhabited by millions of organisms. For example, bacteria in the air and on your skin can cause allergies. Mold and mildew thrive in wet and dark places like bathrooms and basements. The dust inside your home is made up of microscopic organisms, pet hair, and organic materials like dead skin. All of these things can contribute to poor indoor air quality. This can make you or your family sick or cause damage to your property. So, how do you maintain good indoor air quality? One of the easiest and least expensive ways to do this is by replacing your furnace filter regularly. But what happens if you forget to replace it? There are consequences for not doing this regularly, and they could be detrimental to your health and home’s value. So, what are the consequences of not replacing your furnace filter? Here are some things you should know about not replacing your filter regularly:

The Importance of Having Good Indoor Air Quality

The quality of the air inside your home affects your health and comfort. When the air inside your home is clean and fresh, you’ll be less likely to get sick. This is because good indoor air quality prevents harmful bacteria and dust from entering your lungs. It also helps reduce the risk of contracting certain diseases like asthma, allergies, and upper respiratory infections.Having good indoor air quality also makes your home more valuable. If you’re ready to sell your home, a clean and healthy home will fetch a higher price. Why? Potential buyers will be less likely to buy a home that’s full of dust and bacteria. They’ll also be more likely to stay in the home longer because they won’t be as affected by the poor indoor air quality.

How to Know If Your Furnace Filter is Full of Dust and Other Unhealthy Things

It’s difficult to know if your filter is full of dust and other unhealthy things without actually removing it. However, there are a few signs that your filter may be clogged. A clogged filter will make your furnace work harder, which will increase your electricity bill. It will also affect the quality of your home’s air. If your filter is clogged, you’ll probably start to notice a foul smell in the house. If you notice any of these signs, it’s a good idea to replace your filter. You may also want to consider investing in a carbon filter. They trap larger dust particles and can help improve your indoor air quality.

How to Properly Change Your Furnace Filter

To change your filter, you’ll need to locate the filter drawer or opening. You can usually find this by looking near the furnace. Once you’ve found the filter drawer, you’ll be able to remove the filter. You can then throw it away and install a new one. There are many different types of filters that can be used with different types of furnaces. You can use the filter guide in the photo below to find the right filter for your furnace.Once you’ve installed a new filter, make sure to run your furnace on the clean setting for at least two hours. This will allow the new filter to catch and trap any dust and other harmful particles.

Conclusion

The inside of your home is like an ecosystem inhabited by millions of organisms. For example, bacteria in the air and on your skin can cause allergies. Mold and mildew thrive in wet and dark places like bathrooms and basements. The dust inside your home is made up of microscopic organisms, pet hair, and organic materials like dead skin. All of these things can contribute to poor indoor air quality. This can make you or your family sick or cause damage to your property. So, how do you maintain good indoor air quality? One of the easiest and least expensive ways to do this is by replacing your furnace filter regularly. But what happens if you forget to replace it? There are consequences for not doing this regularly, and they could be detrimental to your health and home’s value. So, what are the consequences of not replacing your filter? Here are some things you should know about not replacing your filter regularly.

Frequently Asked Question

The furnace filter needs to be replaced depending on your location. For colder zones, you might want to change it every 30 – 60 days because furnaces usually go on for many months and do not take a break. For warmer areas, you may only replace it twice during the winter or after 90 days. It also varies on the thickness of the furnace filters. The thinner your filter, the more frequent you get to replace it.
If you fail to change your furnace filter, this might affect the performance of your furnace. It will pressure your equipment to work harder because of a decrease in airflow. Worse, it might damage your equipment forcing you to have it repaired or replaced. The furnace will overheat once you turn it on without a new air filter.
Technically without a furnace filter, your furnace will still operate. However, you will risk your family’s health and your equipment’s performance as well. Furnace filters make sure that contaminants, dust, and microbes do not get inside your house so you will not breathe dirty air.
A dirty furnace filter looks darker than the first time you bought it. The air also smells funny. You get lower airflow and your equipment works hard causing your electric bills to soar. Soon you will get sick, and develop headaches and allergies.
The fibers can’t do their job when it is placed backward. The furnace will work harder to keep up with its desired output. This will increase your energy cost and damage your equipment. Smaller particles will accumulate causing build-up.